Naminoue Beach, Urban beach in Naha, Japan
Naminoue Beach is an urban beach in central Naha, divided into two sections: the Wakasa side and the Tsuji side, each with its own facilities. The sand sits below an elevated highway that runs directly overhead, giving the shore an unusual setting within the city.
The beach opened in 1991 as the first designated swimming area in central Naha, making it the only coastal spot of this kind in the city for many years. Before that, the area was known mainly for the old shrine that has stood on the cliff above it for centuries.
The name of the beach comes from the Naminoue Shrine, one of the eight sacred Ryukyu shrines, which sits on a cliff directly above the sand. Standing on the beach, you can look up and see the shrine buildings perched over the water.
Swimming is allowed from late April through October, with hours varying by season, so it is worth checking before you go. The beach is easy to reach on foot from central Naha and sits close to bus and monorail stops.
Despite being in the middle of a city, the water here is clear enough for snorkeling, which few visitors expect from an urban shoreline. The sand itself was brought in and placed here when the beach was built, as there was no natural beach on this stretch of the coast before 1991.
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